Exploring 21st Century Photography

21st Century Photography is a phrase meant to describe the type of photography in which many artists are presently engaged. A 21st century photographic approach includes the use of historic methods, alternative processes, and adaptive techniques. The decision regarding which methods to employ in a project is driven by the artistic vision of the photographer rather than the technical limitation or possibility of the equipment. Terms such as alternative, historic, hand-wrought, DIY (do-it-yourself), and antiquarian have been used to describe this type of work and while those terms can be accurate they are mostly not. The use of any one term greatly simplifies the complexities, combinations, and adaptations which are taking place while at the same time weighing the discussion with preconception and bias. Recognizing that photographic technology has become so sophisticated that, for the most part, it is irrelevant and, in an effort to create something new, many artists are freely inventing and combining techniques and processes from the history of photography to create a new 21st Century Photography.

Photography is an art that is often imagined to be quick & easy. In a way, it’s true; images are usually captured in a fraction of a second. But it’s the lifetime of experience that informs all the decisions behind the actions of that fraction of a second. Whether the camera you’re using is the latest digital, a large-format view camera, or an absurdly simple plastic camera, you, the photographer, have total control of the images you create. We often spend most of our time learning the functions of the camera, and depending on them to make decisions. But it’s really our understanding of light, the most basic element of photography, that allows us to create photographs that accurately convey our artistic vision. The simpler the camera, the more obvious this becomes, as we must rely on ourselves, not the camera, to control light that reaches the lens.

And don’t forget to check out her inspiring and informative book:

Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity

Michelle is based in Seattle, WA USA. You can find more information on her website.

Seizing the Light: A Social History of Photography, Robert Hirsch
Available November 2008. Reserve yours today >>

With the second edition of Seizing the Light: A Social History of Photography, Robert Hirsch, scholar and artist, offers a highly accurate and readable introduction to the photographic arts. The book reflects how photography is represented within the context of the artistic, cultural, scientific, technological, and utilitarian forces. A variety of new topics, from the photo booth to the effects of the Internet, have been given in-depth coverage. Other featured topics, which provide a fuller understanding of how photography can play with the meaning of cultural images, include the body, the landscape, the portrait, time and space concepts, typologies, and urban life.

The f295 Seminar on 21st Century Photography
Hosted by B&H Photo
2009 brings the 2nd installment of the FREE f295 Seminar series. This year takes place on January 18 from 10:30am - 4:30pm at B&H Photo Event Space in New York City. This years speakers will be talking about their work and the ideas behind it including the themes of light, time and the apparatus. They’ll also be answering questions from the audience. Artists presenting include:
Jo Babcock
Craig Barber
Michelle Bates
Dan Estabrook
Alida Fish
Joy Goldkind
Robert Hirsch
France Scully Osterman
Tom Persinger

The event is free but space is limited. If you’d like to attend you must preregister. Last year it was sold out within hours and we had a wait list of over 200! Watch for the announcement - registration will open in December.

The Cyanatype
This process, also known as the Gum-Iron process, results in a positive blue print from a positive. It’s a great way to make interesting photograms -without having to first make a film negative. It was originally patented by Pellet in 1878.

You’ll need three stock solutions:
* Solution A
o 40grams Gum Arabic
o 200cc Water
* Solution B
o 100grams Ammonium-citrate of Iron (red)
o 200cc Water
* Solution C
o 100grams Ferric Chloride
o 200cc Water

To use mix 100 parts A with 40 parts B and then add 25 parts C. It’s very important to mix them in the order A+B+C else it will be a minor disaster. Allow the mixture cure for a few hours until it reaches a state of being like soft butter. If you keep it in a dark place the mixture should remain usable for several days (the unmixed B and C solutions will last indefinitely, solution A only for a few weeks).

I’m fairly certain that you can substitute Ferric Ammonium Citrate (green) in Solution B and it would be faster/more light sensitive.

If you try this please report back, use the f295 forum cyanotype section.

This recipe taken from:
Wall, Edward John. Photographic Facts and Formulas. 1927
Find a copy at your local library on Worldcat

Russian pinhole artists Nick Shuval-Sergeev and Igor_Briakilev were recently featured on Russian televisions channel On 1-st (main) TV channel. It was a long interview, but they cut it down to 5 minutes. http://pinhole.ru/index.php?option=com_content&&task=view&&id=68andItemid=75

Hello, from 13 till 18 October 2008 I am going to do a workshop  of pinhole photography in in La Grande-Chaloupe, Reunion Island. A place full of history for the people of Réunion. This is a place which is situated at both seaside and in the edge of mountain. It is a small village which counts approximately 50 families, there are also the vestiges of the railroad of Reunion and lot more (for more information please see this link : http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Grande_Chaloupe The participants live in this district and have between 8 and 15 years old, they will be 10. I have planned for every participant a 6x6cm pinhole kit like this: http://www.f295.org/Pinholeforum/forum/Blah.pl?m-1208876311/s-0/ At the end of the workshop, they will keep their camera and an exhibition is planned too.

I'm featured this month on an on-line photo gallery |: de visu :|. http://www.2visu.org/regards/index_boulant/index.php They're showing pictures from the series I did this summer. http://www.f295.org/Pinholeforum/forum/Blah.pl?m-1219937731/ Malade, tout un été. Cloîtré entre quatre murs... Après une semaine de grosses fièvres, trois semaines à tousser, pas la moindre énergie. La crève ? Peut-être, mais la sensation d'avoir un truc coincé sous l'épiglotte. Finalement excédé et décidé à me débarrasser de cette gêne je m'allonge, la tête en bas et je tousse, je racle jusqu'à ce qu'un morceau solide remonte et ne soit dégluti. Là je me souviens soudainement, un insecte était entré... jamais ressorti ! D'ordinaire je fais mes images dehors. Je travaille au sténopé, une boîte percée d'un ou plusieurs minuscules trous ; j'ai besoin de lumière, beaucoup même. Après tout ce temps passé malade, chez moi, je me suis dit que j'allais tenter d'en profiter... Qu'y a-t-il chez moi ? Voici la première série d'images. Différentes pièces, différents meubles ou parties communes des lieux.